Why not accordion ?


To my point of view it's one of the most universal solo instruments, but not widely accepted in any classical or jazz orchestras or bands. It's also sophisticated. I'd say extremely sophisticated. In order to deliver smooth and artistic sound it may require long and extensive practice to handle bellows and position your hands properly. In addition there are two button boards that can deliver sophisticated polyphonic parts that can create an impression of small band inside one instrument. You can also count on fingers great accordionists while you can have an endless list of great guitarists or saxophonists.
czarivey
Straight up gang, you want to hear what the accordion can do
in ensemble (accordion, piano.violin,guitar,double-bass and vocialist} buy Finnish Tango Volume II by Tango Orch. Uno .
EUCD 2281.
This is sophisticated original music recorded in excellent sound at The Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. The Tango has become the folk music of Finland.
Sounds like a cross between Piazolla and The Hot Club of France. I picked up on the band from a live concert on Twin-Cities public TV.
Anybody buys this on my recommend and is disappointed I'll send you 20 bucks for the CD .
If anyone does take me up don't get Volume II , but the one titled just " Finnish Tango" EUCD 1830.
I just got this one from Amazon today, the vocalist is farther back in the mix which is better , esp, if you don't understand Finnish.Also, its Orch. Unto not Uno.
A chamber music vibe on this one ,
Cowboy Junkies, the great Folk-Rock-Space band, make pretty heavy use of accordion at some points, as I recall. Great voice, and they care about recordings.

John
Check out Myron Floren. He was the accordionist for Lawrence Welk back in the 50's and 60's. He was terrific.

There's a bunch of his stuff for sale on Ebay. Check it out:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R1.TR2.TRC0.A0.H0.Xmyron+f.TRS0&_nkw=myron+floren&_sacat=11233

Also check out Art VanDamme and Dick Contino.
Oregonpapa,
I've got Myron's records in near-new shape out from the thrift stores for quarter and enjoy them a lot. Myron was a terrific accordionist.
Same with Art Van Damme.